Gas handling system for metallurgical vessels

ABSTRACT

A gas coupling means is supported for rotational movement for selectively coupling and uncoupling the gas exhaust systems of one of a pair of metallurgical vessels whose smoke and evolved gases are collected during operation. The coupling means normally couples one active vessel with gas cleaning apparatus. When the one vessel is taken out of service for rebuilding or maintenance, the coupling means is rotated so that it couples the other vessel with the same gas cleaning apparatus. The arrangement reduces the probability of noxious gases from the active vessel reaching the vicinity of the inactive vessel at which workmen may be present.

United States Patent Dortenzo Mar. 26, 1974 [5 GAS HANDLING SYSTEM FOR 3,533,612 10/1970 Morton 266/36 P METALLURGICAL VESSELS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Alexander Domino, Pittsburgh, 524,829 2/1953 ltaly 266/35 Filed:

Assignee: Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jan. 31, 1972 Appl. No.: 222,100

[52] US. Cl 266/35, 266/13, 266/15 [51] Int. Cl. C21c 5/38 [58] Field of Search.... 98/115 R, 115 FV, 115 VM; 266/15, 13, 3.1, 35, 36 P [56]. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,152,206 10/1964 Philbrick .L 266/34 V 3,169,159 2/1965 Jackson 2 66/34 R 2,771,290 11/1956 Tinker 266/31 3,357,820 12/1967 Rasworschegg et a1, 266/35 1,505,281 8/1924 Nagelvoort 1 266/35 2,831,467 4/1958 Guczky 266/35 3,063,694 ll/l962 Gaw 266/35 Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost Attorney, Agent, or FirmFred Wiviott; Ralph G. Hohenfeldt 5 7] ABSTRACT A gas coupling means is supported for rotational movement for selectively coupling and uncoupling the gas exhaust systems of one of a pair-of metallurgical vessels whose smoke and evolved gases are collected during operation. The coupling means normally couples one active vessel with gas cleaning apparatus. When the one vessel is taken out of service for re building or maintenance, the coupling means is rotated so that it couples the other vessel with the same gas cleaning apparatus. The arrangement reduces the probability of noxious gases from the active vessel reaching the vicinity of the inactive vessel at which workmen may be present.

14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZBIHM 3,799525 SHEET 1 UF 2 FIG] PATENTEDMARZS 1914 3799525 SHEET 2 0F 2 GAS HANDLING SYSTEM FOR METALLURGICAL VESSELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with handling noxious' smoke and gases that evolve from metallurgical vessels such as those which are used to convert hot metal to steel by the basic oxygen process.

Top and bottom blown steel converter vessels are usually installed in pairs so that one will be available for supplying molten steel to a plant while the other is inactivated for rebuilding its refractory lining or for performing other maintenance. The vessels are usually installed as closely as possible to each other and in proximity with gas cleaning apparatus. One practice followed heretofore has been to have a main exhaust pipe connected with the gas cleaning apparatus and to have branch pipes extending from the main pipe to the smoke and gas collecting hoods of the individual vessels. When one vessel was taken out of service for maintenance, a valve in its branch exhaust pipe was closed to inhibit noxious gases from the remaining active vessel feeding back through the branch pipe to the vicinity of the inactive vessel. This arrangement imperils those who may be called upon to work in the inactive vessel or its vicinity sincethere is always a danger of noxious gases leaking along the branch pipe associated with the active vessel and there might even be a heavy flow of noxious gases if the shutoff valve is accidentally or inadvertently opened. As is known, carbon monoxide which is present in high concentration in flue gases is an insidious, odorless, poison gas that could as phyxiate a workman or even be fatal in a short time. Other gases such as sulfur dioxide are also present sometimes and these gases are irritating to the eyes and respiratory system.

Of course, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided by completely isolating the exhaust pipes of the various vessels and connecting the individual exhaust pipes to individual gas cleaning apparatus in which case one gas cleaning system will be idle along with the vessel which is inactivated for maintenance. However, use of individual gas cleaning systems requires at least double the investment in the systems themselves and requires additional investment in building space to accommodate them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to overcome the above-noted disadvantages and to provide a safe and economical gas handling system for metallurigical vessels.

Another object of this invention is to completely isolate the gas exhaust path associated with one vessel from that of another and yet employ one one gas cleanthe outlet of a gas exhaust system of a metallurgical vessel. The conduit is supported for being shifted so that it may uncouple one vessel from the gas cleaning apparatus and for coupling the other vessel thereto. The conduit preferably has rollers which permit rotation around the axis of the gas cleaning apparatus ,and so that it may be translated from alignment with the gas exhaust system of one vessel to alignment with the same gas exhaust system of another vessel.

How the foregoing and other more specific objects are achieved will appear in the more detailed description of a preferred embodiment which will be set forth hereinafter in reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a gas handling system, in accordance with the invention, using one gas cleaning system to serve two spaced apart metallurgical vessels;

FIG. 2 is a view of the coupling apparatus according to the invention, with parts broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the coupling apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the new gas handling equipment is illustrated in conjunction with spaced apart metallurgical vessels It] and 11 which may be basic oxygen converter vessels of the bottom-blown type, for instance, or they may be any other kind of metallurgical vessels that are installed in proximity with each other and emit smoke and other noxious gases. In this illustration, ves sels l0 and 11 are of the same type so only vessel 10 will be described in detail. Vessel 10 is mounted in a trunnion ring 12 from which trunnion shafts 13 and 14 extend laterally along a common axis. Shafts l3 and 14 are journaled in bearing supports 15 and 16, respectively. The bearing supports are on concrete footings 17 and 18 so as to define a pit 19 below vessel 10. Trunnion ring 12 is adapted to turn on its axis to tilt or completely invert vessel 10. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the vesselmay be tilted by a drive mechanismwhich includes a reduction gear system in a housing 20 and a tilting drive motor 21affiliated therewith.

When vessel 10 is used as a bottom-blown converter vessel, its bottom portion is equipped with a chamber 25 into which gases such as argon, nitrogen and oxygen and powdered material such as fluxes and iron oxide may be admitted from a pipe 26 which is shown fragmentarily. In an actual installation, pipe 26 connects with trunnion shaft 13 which is hollow and is connected by means of a swivel joint, not shown, to supply lines for the gases and powdered materials. When vessel 10 is charged with hot metal and scrap, the gas and powdered materials are selectively blown into the bottom of vessel 10 so that they pass through the molten metal therein and effectuate conversion of impure iron to steel. In connection with the conversion process, smoke, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other fumes evolve from the top mouth region 27 of the vessels as is well known. It is the collection and safe handling of these evolved gases and smoke with which the invention is concerned.

A gas collecting hood 28 is disposed above the mouth 27 of vessel 10 and includes a hollow conical portion 29 which is adapted to contact mouth 27 so that there is practically no leakage of noxious gases from the vessel to the atmosphere. The hood 28 telescopingly engages the lower end of an elbow 30 which in turn is connected by a flange 31 to a horizontal pipe section 32. When vessel 10 is operating, pipe 32 is connected to gas cleaning apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 33 by a coupling assembly 35 according to the invention and which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, hood 28 may be raised by suitable screw jacks 36 to telescope over the lower end of elbow 30 and thereby permit the tilting of the vessel 10 so that the latter may be charged or emptied as the requirements of the steel conversion process dictate.

The details of the gas cleaning apparatus 33 form no part of the invention and accordingly will only be discussed in general terms. It will be understood, however, that any well known type of gas cleaning apparatus may be employed. The apparatus 33 may include an inlet pipe 38 which is adapted to be connected through a water seal 39 to the coupling assembly 35. In the gas cleaning apparatus 33 which is illustrated by way of ex ample, there is provided a variable Venturi wet gas type cleaner having a Venturi quencher 40. Water from the quencher 40 is coupled to the inlet pipe 38 and flows down a pipe 42 along with the gas being cleansed, with the water being drained in an outlet 43. The gas is conveyed by means of a horizontal pipe 45 into a vertical pipe 46 which has a short horizontal portion 47 connecting into a gas scrubber 49. Gases are drawn from scrubber 49 through a pipe 50 which feeds to the inlet of a blower 52 driven by a motor 53 and having an exhaust outlet 54 connected to a chimney (not shown).

The hood 29, elbow 30 and conduit 32 may be water cooled in a manner well known in the art. A hood 29, an elbow 30', a flange 31, and a conduit section 32' are associated with the vessel 11 and are identical to the correspondingly numbered components associated with the vessel 10. The hoods, conduits and coupling assembly just described are suitably mounted on a supporting framework 55.

As seen in FIG. 2, the coupling assembly 35 includes a hollow elbow section having a lower vertical portion 61 extending through and secured by ribs 62 to a support ring 63. Disposed below the lower end 64 of elbow section 60 and in substantial registry therewith is the hollow upper end 65 of the gas cleaning apparatus inlet pipe 38. A liquid seal assembly 66 is disposed at the upper end 65 of pipe 38 and includes an annular trough 67 filled with a suitable liquid such as water 68. When the elbow section 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, its lower end 64 extends below the level of water in trough 66 to provide a seal between coupling assembly 35 and pipe 38.

A second ring 70 is disposed below the support ring 62 and is spaced from and surrounds the vertical portion 61 of elbow section 60. A plurality of roller assemblies 72 are mounted on the second ring 70 and each includes a roller 73 which engages the support ring 63. The second ring 70 is in turn supported on the frame work 55 by a plurality of jacks 74.

The coupling assembly 35 also includes a horizontal section 75 coupled to the vertical section 61 by an intermediate section 76. Horizontal section 75 is supported on ring 63 by a frame member 78 and terminates in a flange 80 which is formed at an acute angle relative to a plane normal to its longitudinal axis. A flange 81 is disposed on the end of pipe section 32 and is oriented at a complimentary angle with respect to flange 80 for mating engagement therebetween. Flanges 80 and 81 may be secured by any suitable quick release mechanism such as swing clamps 83 whereby pipe section 32 and coupling assembly 35 are joined. When the coupling assembly 35 is in its position shown in FIG. 2 with the flanges 80 and 81 joined, the vessel 10 is coupled to the gas cleaning system 33. The vessel 11 on the other hand is disconnected from-vessel 10 without dependence upon the functioning of a valve or other mechanism.

I A motor 85 is mounted adjacent the support ring 63 and has a friction wheel 86 carried by its output shaft. When the coupling assembly is disposed in its position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the flanges 80 and 81 are coupled and the lower end 38 of vertical section 61 is below the level of water 68, wheel 86 is disposed above and out of'engagement with ring 63. When it becomes necessary to begin operating in vessel 11 and to cease operation in vessel 10, the quick release coupling clamps 83 are disengaged. The jacks 74 are then actuated to elevate the coupling assembly 35 and thereby move the flange 80 upwardly and out of engagement with flange 81. This also raises the ring 63 into engagement with the friction wheel 86. Motor 85 may then be actuated to rotate the coupling assembly 35 about a vertical axis through its vertical lower portion 61. This places flange 80 adjacent flange 81' of pipe section 32' which is coupled with vessel 11. Jacks 74 are operated to lower assembly 35 whereby flange 80 engages flange 81 and the lower 'end 64 of coupling assembly 35 enters the water 68 to reestablish the seal with pipe 38. The coupling assembly is thereby moved from its position shown by full lines in FIG. 1 to its position shown by broken lines. After the quick release clamp 83 is secured, the vessel 11 is coupled to the gas cleaning system 33 and vessel 10 is isolated therefrom.

The water seal 65 and the angular arrangement of flanges 80, 81 and 81' and the quick release clamps 83 permit the establishments of seals between the gas cleaning system 33 andthe vessels 10 and 11 even though there may be a substantial misalignment between coupling assembly 35 and the pipes 32 or 32. Further, the angular arrangement of flanges 80, 81 and 81 permit the coupling assembly 35 to be rotated without substantial vertical movement. In this manner, the vessels 10 and 11 may be rapidly coupled and uncoupled with respect to the gas cleaning mechanism 33 and on a selected individual basis.

Accordingly, while the invention has been disclosed with respect to a particular type of metallurgical vessel, it will be appreciated that it is also applicable to other types of such vessels as well. Further, while the axis of rotation of coupling assembly 35 is vertical in the illustrated embodiment, it can be arranged at same angle to the vertical.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to be limited thereby but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A gas system for a plurality of metallurgical vessels each having gas discharge means,

each of said gas discharge means having atubular portion terminating in an end which lies in a plane intersecting the axis of said tubular portion ataaaqytsza e gas coupling means having a tubular gas inlet means and agas outlet means, a gas processing systemsaid gas inlet means terminating in an end engageable with the ends of said gas discharge means and lying in a plane oriented at an angle which is complementary to said acute angle, said gas inlet means being coupled to the gas discharge means of one of said vessels when said; gas coupling means is in a first'position. asse sqspl nsmssns bs sm b s 9. a sss position wherein said gas inlet means is coupled to a second one of said vessels, said gas outlet means being coupled to said gas processing system when said coupling means is in each of said first and second positions. 2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said gas discharge means and said ga s'inlet meansinclude engageable portions, and quick release means for securing said inlet means to one of said gas discharge means when said coupling means is in each of its first and second positions.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1 and including means for elevating said gas coupling means to separate said engageable portions and for lowering the same after the rotation thereof.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein said couplingineans isr o ta'table aboutthe axis 'a ssrcr gas outlet means to move said coupling means between its first and second positions wherein said gas outlet means is coupled to said gas processing system in each of said positions.

means associated with each vessel for supplying a process gas to said molten metal,

fume hood means associated with each vessel and disposed above said opening for collecting offgases produced during metal refining,

gas cleaning means including gas intake means,

a plurality of conduit means, one of said conduit means being connected with each hood means for directing said off-gases from its associated fume hood means to a location adjacent said gas cleaning means, each of said conduit means having a terminal end adjacent said gas intake means and substantially equidistant therefrom,

coupling means movable between first and second positions for coupling a different selected one of the terminal ends of said conduit means with said gas intake means of said gas cleaning means in each of said positions,

said coupling means being a generally tubular means """rrav'mg afir'st enden gageable with said gas intake means in each of its first and second positions and an opposite end engageable with one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions,

the t eririinaT ends orsarwnamr means being in- Eritrea at the same acute angle relative to the axis 'mgasifitate means of said gas cTeaning rneans and wherein said opposite end of said coupling means is' inclined at a complementary angle relative to said axis.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 and including attachment means having quick release means for selectively securing said coupling means to said terminal ends of said conduit means.

8. The combination set forth in ciaim 6 including first means connected to said coupling means for raising and lowering said coupling relative to the terminal ends of said conduit means and second means for rotating said coupling means about said axis to selectively move sifdfipposite e nd out o fparallelisrn with on e of said terminal ends and into parallelism with the other.

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said coupling means is rotatable around the axis of said gas intake means and wherein said terminal ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis.

10. The combination set forth in claim 6 and including liquid seal means disposed between said coupling means and said gas intake means.

11. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said gasaaaaragwaeam gas intake means is generally circular and disposed in a generally horizontal plane, said coupling means being generally tubular and having a first end adjacent said gas intake means and generally symmetrical therewith and an opposite end engageable with the one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 and including first means for rotating said coupling means about the axis of said gas intake means wherein said terminal ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis.

13. The combination of:

a plurality of metallurgical vessels for individually containing a charge of molten iron containing metal to be treated, each vessel having a charging and discharging opening formed therein,

means associated with each vessel for supplying a process gas to said molten metal,

fume hood means associated with each vessel and disposed above said opening for collecting offgases produced during metal refining,

gas cleaning means including gas intake means,

a plurality of conduit means, one of said conduit means being connected with each hood means for directing said off-gases from its associated fume hood means to a location adjacent said gas cleaning means, each of said conduit means having a terminal end adjacent said gas intake means and substantially equidistant therefrom.

coupling means movable between first and second positions for coupling a different selected one of the terminal ends of said conduit means with said gas intake means of said gas cleaning means in each of said positions,

said gas cleaning means gas intake means being generally circular and disposed in a generally horizontal plane, said coupling means being generally tubular and having a first end adjacent said gas intake means and generally symmetrical therewith and an opposite'end engageable with the one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions,

first means for rotating said coupling means about the axis of said gas intake means wherein said termina] ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis,

the terminal ends of said conduit means being inclined at an acute angle relative to the axis of the gas intake means of said gas cleaning means and said opposite end of said coupling means being inclined at a complementary acute angle relative to said axis and including second means-connected to said coupling for raising and lowering said conduit relative to the terminal ends of said coupling means, said first means being operable to rotate gases directly into said metal. 

1. A gas system for a plurality of metallurgical vessels each having gas discharge means, each of said gas discharge means having a tubular portion terminating in an end which lies in a plane intersecting the axis of said tubular portion at an acute angle, gas coupling means having a tubular gas inlet means a gas processing system and a gas outlet means, said gas inlet means terminating in an end engageable with the ends of said gas discharge means and lying in a plane oriented at an angle which is complementary to said acute angle, said inlet means being coupled to the gas discharge means of one of said vessels when said gas coupling menas is in a first position, said gas coupling means being movable to a second position wherein said gas inlet means is coupled to a second one of said vessels, said gas outlet means being coupled to said gas processing system when said coupling means is in each of said first and second positions.
 2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said gas discharge means and said gas inlet means include engageable portions, and quick release means for securing said inlet means to one of said gas discharge means when said coupling means is in each of its first and second positions.
 3. The invention set forth in claim 1 and including means for elevating said gas coupling means to separate said engageable portions and for lowering tHe same after the rotation thereof.
 4. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein said coupling means is rotatable about the axis of said gas outlet means to move said coupling means between its first and second positions wherein said gas outlet means is coupled to said gas processing system in each of said positions.
 5. The invention set forth in claim 4 and including liquid seal means between said gas outlet means and said gas processing system to maintain a seal therebetween when said coupling means is in each of its first and second positions.
 6. The combination of: a plurality of metallurgical vessels for individually containing a charge of molten iron containing metal to be treated, each vessel having a charging and discharging opening formed therein, means associated with each vessel for supplying a process gas to said molten metal, fume hood means associated with each vessel and disposed above said opening for collecting off-gases produced during metal refining, gas cleaning means including gas intake means, a plurality of conduit means, one of said conduit means being connected with each hood means for directing said off-gases from its associated fume hood means to a location adjacent said gas cleaning means, each of said conduit means having a terminal end adjacent said gas intake means and substantially equidistant therefrom, coupling means movable between first and second positions for coupling a different selected one of the terminal ends of said conduit means with said gas intake means of said gas cleaning means in each of said positions, said coupling means being a generally tubular means having a first end engageable with said gas intake means in each of its first and second positions and an opposite end engageable with one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions, the terminal ends of said conduit means being inclined at the same acute angle relative to the axis of the gas intake means of said gas cleaning means and wherein said opposite end of said coupling means is inclined at a complementary angle relative to said axis.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 6 and including attachment means having quick release means for selectively securing said coupling means to said terminal ends of said conduit means.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 6 including first means connected to said coupling means for raising and lowering said coupling relative to the terminal ends of said conduit means and second means for rotating said coupling means about said axis to selectively move said opposite end out of parallelism with one of said terminal ends and into parallelism with the other.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said coupling means is rotatable around the axis of said gas intake means and wherein said terminal ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis.
 10. The combination set forth in claim 6 and including liquid seal means disposed between said coupling means and said gas intake means.
 11. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said gas cleaning means gas intake means is generally circular and disposed in a generally horizontal plane, said coupling means being generally tubular and having a first end adjacent said gas intake means and generally symmetrical therewith and an opposite end engageable with the one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions.
 12. The combination set forth in claim 11 and including first means for rotating said coupling means about the axis of said gas intake means wherein said terminal ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis.
 13. The combination of: a plurality of metallurgical vessels for individually containing a charge of molten iron containing metal to be treated, each vessel having a charging and discharging opening formed therein, means associated with each vessel for supplying a process gas to said molten metaL, fume hood means associated with each vessel and disposed above said opening for collecting off-gases produced during metal refining, gas cleaning means including gas intake means, a plurality of conduit means, one of said conduit means being connected with each hood means for directing said off-gases from its associated fume hood means to a location adjacent said gas cleaning means, each of said conduit means having a terminal end adjacent said gas intake means and substantially equidistant therefrom. coupling means movable between first and second positions for coupling a different selected one of the terminal ends of said conduit means with said gas intake means of said gas cleaning means in each of said positions, said gas cleaning means gas intake means being generally circular and disposed in a generally horizontal plane, said coupling means being generally tubular and having a first end adjacent said gas intake means and generally symmetrical therewith and an opposite end engageable with the one of the terminal ends of said conduit means in each of said positions, first means for rotating said coupling means about the axis of said gas intake means wherein said terminal ends of said conduit means are arranged equidistant from said axis, the terminal ends of said conduit means being inclined at an acute angle relative to the axis of the gas intake means of said gas cleaning means and said opposite end of said coupling means being inclined at a complementary acute angle relative to said axis and including second means connected to said coupling for raising and lowering said conduit relative to the terminal ends of said coupling means, said first means being operable to rotate said coupling means about said axis to selectively move said other end out of parallelism with one of said terminal ends and into parallelism with the other.
 14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said vessels has a refractory lining and tuyere means extending through said lining and beneath the level of molten metal therein for injection of process gases directly into said metal. 